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700 migrants rush at Spain's border, all repulsed

The Associated Press

Updated:
05/17/2014 12:55:37 PM EDT

MADRID (AP) — Spanish authorities say around 700 African migrants have charged its barbed-wire border fences in the country's North African enclave of Melilla but all were repulsed by Spanish and Moroccan border guards.

An official statement says about 500 rushed the border in the first wave Saturday. About 20 stayed atop the 20-foot (6-meter) high fences for 30 minutes, then were escorted away by Moroccan forces.

Two hours later another group of about 200 persons was intercepted by Moroccan police.

Spain's North African enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta have been targeted by a tide of African immigrants trying to cross into Europe.

Spain and Morocco stepped up border vigilance in February after 15 migrants drowned trying to enter Ceuta.